Windows ARM virtual machines can result in a BSOD with DPC_WATCHDOG_VIOLATION or a hang state

Products

• VMware vSphere ESXi

Issue/Introduction

• VMware Tools 12.3.5 introduces a configurable option  that can be set which may delay or prevent BSODs or system hangs.
• To enable this, add the following entry to the virtual machine’s .vmx file - guestInfo.svga.wddm.blockingPreemptEvent = "TRUE"
• For detailed steps on modifying the .vmx file, please refer to the VMware KB article: Editing the .vmx file for your VMware Fusion virtual machine

Symptoms - 

• With VMware Tools 12.3.0 or 12.3.5 installed on a Windows 11 ARM VM running Fusion 13.x, users may encounter either a BSOD with DPC_WATCHDOG_VIOLATION, or a system hang.
• These issues are typically triggered while running 3D games or when resizing a remote desktop window.

 

Environment

• VMware Tools 12.3.0
• VMware Tools 12.3.5

Cause

• Guest VM graphics driver problem on ARM

Resolution

At present, there is no resolution available for this issue. A deifnite fix will be included in a future release.

Workaround -

• As a temporary measure, you can work around the issue by disabling 3D.